Holiday Photoshoot Ideas You'll Actually Want To Try

Need fresh holiday photoshoot ideas for clients or content? This guide shares unique, documentary-leaning concepts with practical tips so you stay inspired all season and make work that actually feels like you.

Christmas Tree Farm Minis

Session Type : Family / Couple

We all love a Christmas Tree Farm moment. Let the location do the heavy lifting. Skip the prop pile. If you bring anything, keep it to one texture in a simple tone or pattern (see below). Keep outfits neutral so the greens stay true. ★

Holiday Style, 2025

My 2025 Holiday Mood Board & Outfit Guide

Warm tones and classic patterns are having a moment, and they photograph clean and timeless. To make styling easy for clients, share a simple mood board like the one above. It gives clear direction, calms the “what do we wear” stress, and sets the vibe before the session.

My Outfit Picks for Fall/Winter 2025

Colors: Chocolate brown, creamy oat, light denim, a touch of evergreen.

Accents: Classic chocolate and cream stripe, vintage Fair Isle

Textures: Rib and cable knits, corduroy, denim, suede, a little velvet ribbon.

Silhouettes: Loose sweaters, straight denim, midi skirt with tights, knee-high boots with tall socks, simple beanie and chunky scarf.

Two neutrals and one accent. One pattern only.

Wearable, cozy, and easy to move in. ★

Below, I’ll break down this board, how to build yours, and why these tones and patterns work.

Mood Board Tips

When creating your mood board, start with your solids. These are usually the colors you’ll suggest your clients wear.

The solids I picked for this board are dark chocolate and oat, and I repeat those colors in a simple stripe. I love how stripe patterns look in photos. If there are multiple people in the photoshoot, suggest only one person wears a pattern and the rest stick to the solids.

Add a few vintage holiday pattern accents so the mood board is easy to follow. It also gives your clients more options when choosing outfits. I made this board in Canva.

Documentary-Style Holiday Photoshoot Ideas

I put this list together for photographers who love real moments. I’m drawn to sessions that feel real, with simple styling, and movement that tells the story on its own. These ideas are meant to inspire you when the season feels repetitive. If you try one of these concepts, share it in the Jaide & Jett Facebook group so we can see and cheer you on. ★

Concept Idea # 2 - Gingerbread Decorating

Session Type : Family / Couple

Clear the counter!!! This is an at-home session built around a holiday activity we all love, like gingerbread decorating or cookie making. Document the moments the concept creates instead of posing, think mixing, icing, and a quick tray reveal. Use a simple arc you can repeat all season and you’ll get natural interaction for families, couples, or kids, no extra props needed.

Tip: Step back and let the story unfold. Be a quiet observer. Offer small prompts, skip the heavy posing.

Concept Idea # 3 - Build a Snowman

Session Type : Family / Couple

Pick a clean patch of snow and build the session around three beats, roll, stack, reveal. Don't forget the carrot nose, scarf, and twig arms.

Want clean, creamy whites in Lightroom?

Shop Jaide & Jett Presets

Concept Idea # 4 - Christmas Tree

Session Type : Family / Couple

Capture the full story, from choosing the tree at the farm to decorating it together at home. If you're looking to get into documentary-style photography try these concepts and share the results in our Facebook group.

Concept Idea # 5 - Holiday Neighborhood Dog Walk

Session Type : Pet

Leash up and take a stroll on a block with pretty lights. Start at blue hour so faces and lights both pick up in camera.

Concept Idea # 6 - Holiday Flat Lay

Session Type : Details

No people? No problem. A holiday flat lay turns what’s already in your house into a clean little story. Ribbon, cookies, ornaments, a knit texture, a handwritten tag. Pick a theme for the palette and shoot overhead by a window. Simple, quick, and so fun.

Photo by: Simply Ajvi Photography

IG: @simplyajvi

Concept Idea # 7 - Holiday Street Photography

Session Type : Photo Journalism

Head downtown and capture the holiday cheer around your city.

Photo by: Simply Ajvi Photography

IG: @simplyajvi

The holiday season is coming fast, and I hope these concepts give you a spark to stay creative during the slower months. Got a concept I didn’t cover? Drop it in the comments. I’d love to see what you’re planning and what you want me to break down next.

Holiday edits, minus the struggle. Use The Natural Pack, our Lightroom preset system built for real color.

Shop the presets ★